World Renowned Filmmakers

*This series explains the meanings of proper names, including names of places, companies, people, brands and others.

Name

黒澤 明

Romaji
Hiragana

KUROSAWA Akira
くろさわ あきら

Kanji meaning

black / swamp / bright
Kurozawa’s best-known films are his samurai epics “Seven Samurai” and “Yojimbo.” He gained international fame with “Rashomon.” Inspiring directors like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, Kurosawa is the most renowned and influential Japanese filmmaker.
(1910-1998).

Name

小津 安二郎

Romaji
Hiragana

OZU Yasujiro
おづ やすじろう

Kanji meaning

little / port / peaceful (cheap) / second (two) / son
Ozu is best known for his 1953 masterpiece “Tokyo Story,” which portrays the changing nature of the Japanese family. Often said to be “typically Japanese,” he explored the rhythms and tensions of a country trying to reconcile modern and traditional values.
(1903-1963)

Name

溝口 健二

Romaji
Hiragana

MIZOGUCHI Kenji
みぞぐち けんじ

Kanji meaning

ditch / mouth / healthy / second (two)
Mizoguchi used sophisticated camera techniques to create films that mostly dealt with the role of women in Japanese society. His “Osaka Elegy” and “Sisters of the Gion” are regarded as being amongst the best Japanese films. Also renowned is “The Life of Oharu” and the ghost story “Ugetsu.”
(1898-1956)

Name

山田 洋次

Romaji
Hiragana

YAMADA Yoji
やまだ ようじ

Kanji meaning

mountain / rice field / ocean / next
He is best known for creating “Otoko Wa Tsurai Yo” (It’s Tough Being a Man), the world’s longest running series of films. Others of his wellknown works include “Tasogare Seibei” (Twilight Samurai), and “Bushi no Ichibun.” (Love and Honor) Both are samurai stories.
(1931- )

Name

宮崎 駿

Romaji
Hiragana

MIYAZAKI Hayao
みやざき はやお

Kanji meaning

palace (Shinto shrine) / cape / a good horse (speed)
Japan’s greatest animation director, whose many films have gained him an international reputation. These include: “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” “Laputa: Castle in the Sky,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Princess Mononoke,” “Spirited Away,” and “Ponyo.”
(1941- )

Name

北野 武

Romaji
Hiragana

KITANO Takeshi
きたの たけし

Kanji meaning

north / field / warrior (arms)
Formerly one of the top figures in the manzai (stand-up comedy duo) scene. His film “Hana-bi” won the Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion. Many of his works – including “Violent Cop” and “Brother” – are concerned with the theme of violence. He hosts many TV programs.
(1947- )